Thursday, July 26, 2007

Victorian Seaside

As I began this blog entry, the girls were in the air over my head, flying off to San Diego and Comic Con 2007. Mike will be flying out to Long Beach to teach on Monday, the same day the girls are scheduled to return. He'll be making another trip to California just two weeks later, this time to San Francisco. What about me? Best to leave me holding down the fort. Besides, I'm worn out from all the hectic pre-flight prep that's been taking place.

The girls have a friend, Josh going with them this year, and friends on the other end waiting for them, so I certainly feel a good deal better about letting them out from under my wing. They also took Lara Croft, Selene and Gorgo with them...

People wear costumes at Comic Con. Not everyone but lots. It began as comic book characters and has grown to include film characters as well. Beth and Sarah decided they might as well join in. Beth gave Lara Croft a bit of a face lift and Sarah put final touches on her Selene from Underworld. Then I had to open my mouth and say what a cool costume Queen Gorgo from 300 would be, and how no one would be able to pull it off. Make a challenge like that in this house and you've just opened a can of worms. Here, for the first time in public, the unveiling of Queen Gorgo.





Our friend Carlos created this master
piece for Beth from the same Romanian hemp linen used in the film. My search for the fabric is a story in itself. Turns out Hemp Basics supplies hemp fabrics to most major motion pictures needing historic fabrics. Patriot, Pirates I, II, & III, 300, etc.

I made the wolves tooth necklace (resin), Beth got the earrings from Africa, and a wonderful artist on Etsy.com hand forged the cuff bracelet from brass. We took the photos at dusk in a field of prairie grass that now in late summer resembles a golden field of wheat.

Even I find it hard to believe that this beautiful woman is mine. Gerry Butler, you are so missing it....








So, what to do while the girls are gone for 4 whole days and I have the house to myself?

First things first, you revel in not having to cook. Second, you relize how blissfully quiet the house is. Then, you sink into oblivion with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It is a strange feeling knowing that as you sit curled in a corner sobbing through the ending of a book that most of the world is doing it with you. I began to cry at the Battle of Hogwarts, and didn't stop until long after I finished. At one point in the middle of the Kings Cross chapter I had to just stop. I simply couldn't see to read anymore.

When it comes to sad endings, this summer has had more than its fair share. The final installment of Harry Potter came right on the heels of the last Pirates of the Caribbean film and I cried my way through that ending as well.


After I spent a whole day reading Harry, I pondered what to do next. Finish my Lopi sweater. I had gauge issues due to a mistake in the pattern. On top of that the instructions were translated from Finnish so there are some mistakes. Despite problems I really did enjoy making it and look forward to making more. Thank goodness the new Lopi books on the market are a good deal easier to understand than this 1970's pattern! Sarah has laid claim to the sweater, so I bought some inexpensive buttons, tidied up all those yarn ends and crocheted the edging and buttonholes.

I have quite a bit of yarn leftover so I'm making a French Market Bag from a Knitty pattern. I was inspired by the beautiful bags Lene at Dances With Wool made. Lene lives in Finland. Here's here blog: http://www.lenealve.blogspot.com/



Aren't these gorgeous?


















Mine is nothing much more than a blue lump at this point. These types of patterns do require grim determination to get through. You have to keep telling yourself that something beautiful will come out of the washing machine after felting...



And, thanks to all those chiropractic treatments, I can sew again. What a joy. Now that the costume work is out of the way I can have some fun. Aprons have become quite trendy again. Very retro chic. When I was little my mother always wore one to protect her clothes. A carry over from pioneer days that finally went out of vogue in the 60's. I am a slob when I cook and when I eat, and have ruined countless shirts when I got too close to the bleach while cleaning the sink. Hence, I am reviving the apron. The first one was a lovely faded rose print with polka dot ties and pockets from 3 sisters seaside prints. You can see it behind the book and I plan to make two more from these Susan Branch fabrics...





Next will be my first foray into Amy Butler patterns. I'm making the Cafe Apron, but the skirt version. This stack of prints will make up the squares, ties and reverse. Again, all 3 Sisters prints from the Seaside collection.



Last but not least, I have my choice of DVD's to watch. It has rained each evening for the past three, making it ideal for cozying up with some knitting and a movie. Dragged out all my beautiful romantic Victorian favorites. Somewhere In Time, House of Mirth, The Ideal Husband....

Nice. The house is a bit like a tomb though...

Tigerlilly

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your daughter looks like a queen! I'm sure she's turning heads (to the breaking point) down at the convention center. Thought of you this week when it started since I knew you've attended before.

Love that fabric for how you're using it. I need to get started on my aprons too -- and for exactly the same reason! Way too many stained and spotted shirts. And always my favorites somehow!

Nancy, the wench

Kelsey said...

Wow, that's amazing! Is there any way you can give me any hints as to how the outfit was constructed? Such as what was used to tie/secure/etc. the brown cloth or leather straps at the ends (I mean, she HAD to get it on and off somehow, right? ;) ), and the cut of the fabric?

This is easily the most gorgeous cosplay of Queen Gorgo I've seen, and it's much more than the dress.

Kelsey said...
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sheepwhispurer said...

How did you make this dress? I have been looking everywhere but can't find a pattern.
Thanks!

FennerC said...

Hi, the costume IS beautiful. I would also like to know how this costume was made! (and how it is put on and taken off) I would like to make this costume for Halloween and I have all the materials... yet I don't have the know-how! Could you possibly give a step by step?

Anonymous said...

Hello, I love this dress & more importantly a friend of mine who is getting married in April loves it & would like me to make if for her...Please help! I have no idea & would appreciate any help that yor friend Carlos could give me on the creation of what he must know is a inspired creation. I live in Australia & we are a little removed from all the good stuff like conventions & costuming.
With Thanks & Warmest regards Deb

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Im going o a fancy dress party next month and thought to be original i'd go as Queen Gorgo. I'm making my own dress as near the the one in the movie as i possibley can, can you please pleae tell me how you made the wolves tooth or where it's possible to buy a fake one (i really dont want to spend the night with a real tooh arounbd my neck!)
Thanks :D
Vicky
If you respond could you please leave the answer on my website as stated below ?

Anonymous said...

oh actually, to acsess my website you click on my name!
Thanks

Anonymous said...

Also sorry to trouble you again, as you said ims ure this dress gets lots of attention! But could you possibley tell me what the brown strips of fabric are?
Im trying to make my dress as authentic as possible, i've ordered some Romanian Hemp Linen as i read above that that is what they used in the film.
Thank you so much for your help,
Vicky

Unknown said...

Hi! I know this is really late in the game but I have been hunting EVERYWHERE for a pattern for this dress to make by Halloween. If I could get any help at all I would really appreciate it, I know there isn't much time but I'm hoping I can pull it off. Thank you so much, you look amazing!

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cialis said...
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